Nowruz, "New Day" is a traditional ancient festival which celebrates the start of the Persian New year and it is the most joyful festival for Iranians. Nowruz marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the New Year in Persian calendar.

It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northward equinox, which usually occurs on March 21 or the preceding/following day depending on where it is observed.

The moment the sun crosses the celestial equator and equalizes night and day is calculated exactly every year and families gather together to observe the rituals.

As far as records go, Nowruz has been, either in fact or by intention, a celebration of early spring, when the sun begins to regain strength and overcome winter's cold and darkness and when there is a renewal of growth and vigor in nature.

Nowruz is celebrated by people from diverse ethnic communities and religious backgrounds for thousands of years. It originated in Persia (IRAN) in one of the capitals of Achaemenid Empire and is also celebrated by the cultural region that came under Iranian influence or had Persian migrants including Azerbaijan, Kurdish inhabited regions of Turkey, Iraq and Syria, Western Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as other scattered populations mainly in Central Asia and around the globe.

HAFT SEEN denoting "seven items beginning with the letter SEEN (S)" is one of the main components of the rituals of the New Year's Day festival (NOWRUZ).

The items are traditionally displayed on the dining cloth (sofra) that every household spreads out on the floor (or on the table) in a room normally reserved for greeting guests.

The HAFT SEEN items are:

1-Sabzeh-wheat, barely mung bean or lentil sprouts growing in a dish- symbolizing rebirth

2-Samanu-sweet pudding made from wheat germ- symbolizing affluence

3- Senjed-dried oleaster, wild olive fruit or silver berry- symbolizing love

4- Sir-garlic- symbolizing medicine

5-Sib-apples- symbolizing beauty and health

6-Somaq-sumac fruit- symbolizing the color of sunrise

7-Serkeh-vinegar- symbolizing old-age and patience.

International Nowruz Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution A/RES/64/253 of 2010, at the initiative of several countries that share this holiday including Iran(Islamic Republic of), Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Turkmenistan.

Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous people, Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the first day of spring and renewal of nature. It promotes values of peace and solidarity between generations and within families as well as reconciliation and neighborliness, thus contributing to cultural diversity and friendship among people and different communities.

"On this International Day of Nowruz, I offer my best wishes to those who celebrate and express hope that all people can use the occasion to reflect on the beauty of nature, the promise of spring and the power of culture to build peace."

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General

"On the auspicious occasion of Nowruz, I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes of joy to everyone who celebrates Nowruz.

Rooted in Iranian culture, Nowruz which dates back to 7000 years ago; celebrates the renewal of nature and the start of Persian New Year.

On behalf of Iranian healthcare professionals, I wish joy, peace and prosperity for everyone in the coming new Persian year.

Happy Nowruz."

Dr. Alireza Zali, IRIMC President

Dr. Shima Naghavi, Director of International Affairs